Don't miss the Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village!

When you see the movie title "Twenty-Four Eyes," do you also think it's a horror film like I did? Actually, it's a touching story about the lives of a teacher and her twelve students at a rural elementary school on Shodoshima about a hundred years ago. The "twenty-four eyes" represent the twelve students' eyes. We discovered this place while taking a bus to Olive Park. You can reach the movie village by boat or bus, and we chose the boat. We bought tickets at the tourist center at Olive Navi Pier (Olive Beach) and followed the instructions to the pier, which is just a small spot extending into the sea. There were no signs, and we were unsure if we were in the right place until we saw a small boat approaching us. I highly recommend taking the boat. Cruising on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, under clear skies with blue skies and white clouds (I really want to use the word "pure" to describe the blue sky), the scenery is absolutely stunning. In less than ten minutes, we arrived at the movie village. Upon entering, you'll find yourself in the movie's filming location, featuring many old wooden buildings, restaurants, bookstores, souvenir shops, a movie history museum, and more. Be sure to visit the school filming site, which has many picturesque spots for photos. Outside the school building, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the vast sea, complete with long wooden benches and rustic wooden signs—perfect for photography! If you don't plan to dine or take a lot of photos, you can explore the village in about an hour. Consider adding this stop to your itinerary before or after visiting Olive Park—you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised! Tips: 1. If you want to take the boat, get off at the Olive Park entrance. Note that the small boat does not operate in winter and often stops on Wednesdays and Thursdays, so check in advance. 2. When buying tickets, you'll see an option for "Cape Branch School," which is an abandoned school and an actual filming location. It requires a separate ticket. If you're not a fan of the movie, you can just visit the movie village. 3. Shodoshima has various bus routes, but many have infrequent schedules. It's best to ask the front desk for a bus timetable for your destination before heading out. 4. When leaving, if there are no boats available, remember to check the ticket office for the small boat's departure times.